Board 8 > When you check out items from the library...

(+) Yeah! (+)

Thinking about the different ways in which people use their public library. I worked at a public library for a couple years in circulation, so in the interest of discussion, you can also AMA regarding the library job.

For the poll:

1. I am referring to physical materials, as digital materials are typically limited and have auto-return functions.
2. If you don't go to the library often enough to remember what you usually do, it's okay to guess.
3. This is regardless of hold status. If you put things on hold to pick up, or if you browse to find stuff in real-time, doesn't matter to this poll.

Thanks!

I will typically look over as many things as possible during a library visit, and only check out a few things. My Papa checks out Only One Thing At A Time, reads it cover to cover or watches the film in full, then returns it before checking out anything else. Children's books in bulk are very popular with big families, although it would be tough to keep track of at home unless you were very structured/organized imo. A lot of people I know don't use the library at all.

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With books I usually do one thing at a time unless I'm trying new series/authors then i might get a couple. Return them when finished with anything unread going at that time.

For DVDs/manga/comics I will check out a few at a time and return them all at once.

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Well I haven't used it much any time recently so I guess it's been a long time since I've checked out more than a single book at a time.

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I think the last time I used a public library was pre-internet days

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literally the only library I've checked anything out from was my elementary school library

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Depends on what I'm getting, yeah. In the past, when I'd get books/manga/comics/TV shows/movies, I'd usually grab a few at once. Sometimes like a whole series or whatever. Then return them before getting something new.

Nowadays I mostly get video games from the library, and I try to get one game at a time and return it before I get another.
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Well, even if you don't check anything out, it's one of the few indoor places that there is no expectation of spending money! :D

Underrated place to bring kids if you have some, or need to watch someone else's kids [babysitting/childcare]. The children's areas are more forgiving re: noise and fun.

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i don't support socialism

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I would regularly check out 5 movies at a time from the University library back before COVID happened. I will probably resume that habit once its back to normal operations, since they have a massive collection.

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"I check out one thing at a time./I return it before checking out a new thing."

Well, during my school days anyway. I have never borrowed anything from a public library.

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@Aecioo posted...

i don't support socialism

Most libraries are privately funded, dipshit.
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Sometimes I check out one book and sometimes two.

Went with first option.

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One thing per category at a time, but sometimes I'll get something before I've entirely finished the previous one (and then I get lazy about returning the previous one)

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I'd check out a few books I wanted at once, and only return the ones I finished, while checking out new ones in the meantime. I'd read them not by when I checked them out, but whatever I was most interested in on the day to start a new book.

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i just put books on hold, and when they become available, i check them out, returning anything i've finished in the meantime. so option 4.
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I check out a couple things, and if Im done with one but not another and Im able to renew that second thing, Ill go return the first thing when its due and possibly get another while Im there.

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I haven't really used a public library since I needed a (relatively) quiet place to read material in grad school. I still support the levies, though.

Mac Arrowny posted...

Most libraries are privately funded, dipshit.

sounds like something a socialist would say

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On the rare occasions I use it, I check out just one or two books. One if it's fiction, and then I put a hold on another if there's a series or something. Two if it's self-help books or movies or whatever. I don't really do that much but I should probably change that. Time is a problem.

That said, the idea of libraries is becoming dated because of the ability to stream movies and music, eBooks, and the Internets having many places you can do research on from your own abode.
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You dare bait the (circulation) librarian?

Option 4. Too much catches my eye, and I usually have an active backlog.

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BlueCrystalTear posted...

That said, the idea of libraries is becoming dated because of the ability to stream movies and music, eBooks, and the Internets having many places you can do research on from your own abode.

They are still a huge resource for people with limited internet or funds for those things. Not to mention a community space that often has lectures/guest speakers, events for kids and families, maker spaces, etc.

Plus they usually have a great selection of ebooks and online journals to check out just like regular books.

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Can confirm. Circulation naturally went down this past year due to Covid, but we do way more than just books. Our children's programming is wonderful, and our community outreach/delivery services for less connected areas basically doubled.

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